Job Description

Media Rights Manager

Type: Full-time

Salary range: Min-Max, salary is commensurate with experience

Location: This position is based at our Hanover, MD headquarters.

Reports to: Vice President

About Us:

Next Level Sports & Entertainment (NLSE) is the premier multi-sports and entertainment content provider, available over 15+ million homes in the U.S., 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. At NLSE, we live and breathe sports. Our values aren’t just words—they’re the playbook we follow every day. We’re here to tell the stories that matter, from the local legends to the global icons. We see every game as an opportunity to inspire, connect, and celebrate the power of sports.

NLSE’s broad spectrum of content ensures that viewers can always find something that piques their interest. Our daily programming guides feature live game broadcasts, sports commentary, talk shows, documentaries, and highlight reels. Whether it's the high-energy action of professional basketball, the competitive spirit of high school football, or the strategic finesse of esports, our programming is designed to captivate and engage sports fans of all kinds. We are committed to providing a platform that celebrates the diversity of sports and the passion of their fans, bringing the excitement of high-quality athletic competition to screens around the world.

Why Join Us?

NLSE fosters a supportive work environment allowing our teams to thrive, and have a fierce dedication to innovation, quality, and people. Our culture is built on inclusion, teamwork, trust, and we are committed in offering career advancement opportunities to all employees. Encouraging a healthy and balanced life, we offer an extensive benefits package to support the wellness of our employees and their families. You will be joining a team of innovators, working with cutting edge technologies, building a network, and making an impact in our community.

Job Summary :

We are seeking a highly motivated, strategic, and experienced Media Rights Manager to lead content acquisition and content distribution for our cable network. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of content licensing, negotiation, distribution strategies, and the evolving sports media landscape. This role is pivotal in acquiring exclusive sports content, managing relationships with content partners, and ensuring the efficient distribution of acquired content across multiple platforms.

Responsibilities:

• Identify, evaluate, and acquire sports content (live events, highlights, on-demand programming, etc.) in alignment with network goals.
• Lead negotiations with content owners (sports leagues, teams, production companies) to secure valuable content rights, including live sports events and exclusive programming.
• Assess market trends and competitive offerings to inform acquisition strategies.
• Manage budgets, ensuring cost-effective deals that align with the channel’s financial objectives.

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with content providers, rights holders, and key stakeholders.
• Foster long-term partnerships that ensure continued access to premium sports content.
• Oversee the legal and contractual aspects of content acquisition, ensuring all rights, terms, and conditions are accurately captured and adhered to.
• Work with legal and compliance teams to ensure that all content agreements meet regulatory requirements and network policies.
• Develop and execute strategies for distributing acquired content across linear, digital, and OTT platforms to maximize audience reach.
• Ensure content is available in both domestic and international markets where applicable.
• Collaborate with programming, marketing, and operations teams to ensure effective content scheduling, promotion, and visibility.
• Negotiate distribution agreements with cable, satellite, and streaming platforms to ensure wide reach and optimal terms.
• Manage distribution partnerships and ensure content delivery across various channels is seamless.
• Monitor and resolve distribution issues, including delays or discrepancies, to ensure content reaches audiences without interruption.
• Track and analyze content performance across different platforms, including viewership data and audience engagement.
• Work with data analytics teams to optimize content distribution and identify opportunities for content monetization.
• Provide insights into distribution strategies that help maximize revenue and audience growth.
• Work closely with the programming, sales, marketing, and legal teams to ensure that content acquisition and distribution align with broader business goals.
• Contribute to the development of promotional strategies, ensuring that content is effectively marketed to increase viewer engagement.
• Stay current on industry trends, competitive offerings, and new distribution technologies to continually improve content strategies.
• Identify emerging content types (e.g., esports, niche sports) and develop plans to integrate them into the network's programming.

Required Qualifications:

Education : Bachelor’s degree in media, Communications, Business, or a related field. MBA or relevant advanced degree preferred.

Experience :

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in content acquisition and distribution within the sports/media industry.
• Proven experience in negotiating content licensing agreements and managing high-value sports content rights.
• Experience working with multiple distribution platforms (cable, satellite, OTT) and an understanding of the evolving landscape in digital media.
• Knowledge of international content distribution and licensing is a plus.

Skills :

• Strong negotiation and deal-making skills.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.
• Ability to analyze data and make data-driven decisions regarding content performance and distribution.
• Familiarity with industry-specific software tools and systems used in content management.
• Understanding of intellectual property rights, contract law, and digital distribution regulations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Deep understanding of the sports media landscape and trends in content consumption (e.g., OTT, mobile streaming).
• Passion for sports and familiarity with major leagues, teams, and broadcasting rights.

Technical Skills :

• Experience with content management systems (CMS), digital asset management (DAM), and distribution platforms.
• Proficiency in analytics and performance tracking tools.

Benefits :

• Competitive salary and performance-based bonuses
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Paid time off and holiday leave
• Professional development opportunities

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